 Poster: A snowHead
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Haven't been to Andorra before. Staying in Hotel Guillem in Encamp and have got just a shortie 3 day ski pass. Want to capitalise on the time I have on the slopes, so any hints and tips, places to avoid, cracking foodie tips etc would be gratefully appreciated. Proficient skier, no interest in anything off-piste (getting too old for that).
I'm certain I've posted before, but cannot find my post anywhere, so keeping this brief until I see it!
Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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No one?
<pleading>
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Conditions under ski should be perfect so it probably won't matter too much where you go, the Grau Roig sector in Grandvalira is nice, has some of the most scenic runs are there. There is quite a bit to go at in Grandvalira so for three days you probably don't need to venture to the other Andorra resorts(all included on GV ski pass now)
There are regular busses running down the valley that pass Encamp from all the GV bases(not free but v cheap) so it doesnt matter where you finish your ski day
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Amazing! Thank you for answering.
Any recommendations for eating out in the evening? We are self-catering.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I guess hammerite will be along soon.
I would describe GV as a line, with Encamp lowest and Pas highest. Better snow but fewer trees (if bleak weather) towards Pas. Encamp is telecabin access only so hope there are no high winds during your stay! Though taxi to El Tarter is probably feasible. I always went ET to GR and had plenty fun for 3 days.
Can’t help with eating, sorry.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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https://restauranthusky.com/ in Pas is really good. Reservation recommended for lunch. Also there is an amazing steak restaurant in El Tarter if you're in need of somewhere for the evening https://restaurantmanacor.com/. Next door is the most amazing supermarket I have ever been to, has to be seen to be believed. I've only stayed in El Tarter so can't recommend anywhere else. Lac de Pessions has also got a good reputation and is a lovely stop on the way to Grau https://pessons.com/.
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Sorry nothing specific on eating out, lots of options all over tho
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Agree with the steakhouse and the eclectic supermarket in El Tarter. (And opposite Espunyes ski shop which can have some great bargains later in season).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Read this.
Post the same question here (more posters and readers).
Encamp is subdued.
For a party, go to Pas de la Casa.
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Hmm maybe subdued suits me at the grand old age of 53 
Just as long as I can grab a burger and a beer in Encamp, I'll be fine.
My 20 year old daughter will probably take the opportunity to ski hard and sleep, although I could be persuaded to nip over to Pas de la Casa for a little look and a few beers!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@melbouch, does it have an elephant parked out front? I was trying to locate it on Google streetview last night.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@SaraWelsh, I'm just doing a quick look at the moment but will type a more meaningful reply when I get a bit longer. I live in Encamp.
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@hammerite, that's awesome.
Thanks so much!
I've also been told to visit Caldea Spa - my hotel has a sauna and indoor heated pool so am wondering whether it's worth it on one of the evenings?
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You know it makes sense.
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Google Caldea Spa, I think it will be different to your hotel offering 
About when are you going?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Orange200, the website looks immense. Not sure I can justify the cost though but if it's as amazing as it sounds, I may treat us both one evening.
We're going Feb 14th for a few days. Flying into Barcelona and out of Toulouse.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We went to Andorra maybe 6x, never went there. Perhaps now the children are older, we should.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| SaraWelsh wrote: |
Haven't been to Andorra before. Staying in Hotel Guillem in Encamp and have got just a shortie 3 day ski pass. Want to capitalise on the time I have on the slopes, so any hints and tips, places to avoid, cracking foodie tips etc would be gratefully appreciated. Proficient skier, no interest in anything off-piste (getting too old for that).
I'm certain I've posted before, but cannot find my post anywhere, so keeping this brief until I see it!
Thanks. |
I stayed in that hotel in March 2025. Unfortunately, the hotel didn't offer anything but breakfast which seemed a bit crazy to me as it was well occupied and had a decent sized/equipped kitchen. Evening meals out were a bit annoying as most of the restaurants didn't seem to open until 8:00pm or later, not ideal on a ski holiday where you're all starving at 5:00pm! I visited Popeyes a couple of times as it was near the lift and on the way back to the hotel PLUS it was actually open!
As for recommendations, I couldn't find any great places, and on the mountains it's way more fast-food (burger, chips, Pizza) than anywhere else I've been. However, I had a great week of skiing. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I found El Tarter, Soldeu, Grau Roig all to have reasonable sit down restaurants. But a golden rule is to try to sit down (well) before 1pm when the Spanish love to start eating. Lunch at 1230 is a much more relaxed affair, and for the serving staff also.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@SaraWelsh, So first of all, it might be busy when you’re here. It’s the beginning of carnival. There’ll be half a Catalunya here and a few from Toulouse too. The good news is that Encamp’s carnival celebrations have UNESCO world heritage status so you can get involved with that if you’re interested - some of it’s a bit bizarre though. They’ve not announced what’s going on exactly and when yet. There’s usually a parade on the Saturday, some kind of mock legal trial on Sunday or Monday, and then a performance of the ball of the bear on Tuesday (all these with a healthy dose of satire and an unusual sense of humour). It usually ends with the killing of the carnival king (an effigy) who has been trying to corrupt everyone in the previous days.
I’m biased, but I really like Encamp. Tourists think there’s not much going on but if you live here you work out what’s happening and there’s quite a lot to do. There’s a reasonable amount of building work here at the moment because part of the town is being modernised. It’s not a big tourist town because it’s mainly a commuter town for Andorra La Vella. It has some hotels and a bit of tourism though because of the Funicamp access to Grandvalira (the most southern access point). The Funicamp takes 20 mins to get to the ski area but from there you are right in the middle and pretty much as high as you can get - all the lift served peaks are at very similar heights. You can get a locker at the Funicamp (or one of the nearby shops) if you like. It’s roughly a 5 minute uphill walk to the Funicamp - I can tell you a short cut to take out a lot of the climbing - from your hotel or there’s a ski bus (the Funibus) that stops near to the hotel.
Food wise… as @king key, says a lot of restaurants work to Andorran/Spanish mealtimes where 20:00 is considered early! That said, La Cirera, Cava Moreneta, Gir and La Molona all do food pretty much all day I think. La Molona is about 50m from your hotel and La Cirera is really close to the Funicamp. The food at those places isn’t fancy but it’s all good quality. Cava Moreneta has a huge craft beer selection if that’s appealing. If you want something a bit more fancy or traditional you could try Borda Vella, Borda de l’Hereu and Borda del Tremat. Signum is a steak/Argentinian bbq restaurant. Bella Italia (not the same as the U.K. chain) does good pizzas but is a bit of a walk from your hotel.
If you want some bar type apres, probably head to Soldeu (20 mins) and go to The Harp or Fat Alberts. L’Abarset (El Tarter) is a bit fancier and with dance music - it may be ticketed that weekend though. Pas de la Casa has lively apres. Andorra La Vella is only 15-20 mins away on the bus and worth a wander around in the evening.
Spa wise… I’ve never been to one here so can’t help much! My OH says the one at the Sport Hermitage in Soldeu is very nice. We’ve never been to Caldea though and I suspect it will be rammed that weekend.
I know people who stayed in the Guillem and they were all pretty happy with it.
Hope this helps and isn’t too dull for you!
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 13-01-26 23:46; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Addition… eating on the mountain. Most places are owned by the resort company. They tend to have a fast food/cafe type places with outdoor/terrace seating and then a more expensive restaurant too for a full meal. I’ve only been to one of the nice restaurants out of season at Lac Pessons. When I’m skiing I tend to keep it simple.
There are independent places in El Tarter (Snack bar El Clos) and Pas de la Casa (pisteside) if you want a bit more variety. Places in Pas de la Casa often have a French influence to them if you like alpine mountain food.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@king key, Thanks - that's helpful. I may buy the breakfast package and then grab a late afternoon burger on the slopes. Eating at 8 would suit us to be fair.
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@Orange200, Thanks Orange. Starting to plan a few routes already, so will definitely consider those areas.
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@hammerite, You're spot on - thanks so much for two immense posts! So much to pick through - thank you, I don't know where to begin! I've tried to contact Funicamp to hire a locker, so that's a start. And yes, keeping it simple for me during the day is key - lunch will be light, wash it down with a quick beer and off we go again. Really excited about this trip - it's been 2 years since my daughter and I skied together and it'll be a guaranteed 3 days of exploring and tired legs by the end of the day. So excited.
I read somewhere that the last 3 hours of Caldea is the ideal time to go and may even be slightly cheaper. Either way, I think we'll head there or Sport Hermitage.
Huge thanks again.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Caldea looks like an absolute event, I think you should ask about advance tickets for one of your evenings! Quite a shared experience I reckon.
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@Orange200, I agree Orange. We never pamper ourselves, so I think I may go for it!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@SaraWelsh, no probs. Hope you have a good trip.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Can anyone see how to book lockers on the Funicamp base station? I've had a look online and apart from completing their general contact proforma with a request, I can't see how else to book?
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| hammerite wrote: |
Addition… eating on the mountain. Most places are owned by the resort company. They tend to have a fast food/cafe type places with outdoor/terrace seating and then a more expensive restaurant too for a full meal. I’ve only been to one of the nice restaurants out of season at Lac Pessons. When I’m skiing I tend to keep it simple.
There are independent places in El Tarter (Snack bar El Clos) and Pas de la Casa (pisteside) if you want a bit more variety. Places in Pas de la Casa often have a French influence to them if you like alpine mountain food. |
If you're stopping in Pas for lunch then I'd recommend trying La Bianca, it's part of the Hotel de les Piste and they do excellent food.
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You know it makes sense.
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Fantastic. Will do @Maort,
Getting super excited now.
Sorting the liners in my ski boots this weekend - the seam is twisted and is uncomfortable - so want to get that done.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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@hammerite, I couldn't find that anywhere! Huge thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@SaraWelsh, I was talking to a lady who manages one of the bars we go into regularly. She has a sideline organising holidays/booking things here in Andorra. She pretty much admitted that most of her business is because people get fed up with trying to order stuff from the Grandvalira website because they can't find things or work it so just give up!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@hammerite,
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